Bible Strands
Isaiah 11:14
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet speaks this oracle within a messianic chapter, describing a future moment when Judah and Ephraim cease their mutual hostility and unite against neighboring nations. The declaration follows the removal of fraternal jealousy and immediately precedes God’s act of drying up the waters of Egypt and the Euphrates.
The words — The Hebrew verb עָפ֫וּ (ʿāp̄û) literally means "they will fly" or "swoop," combined with בְּכָתֵף (bəḵāṯēp̄), "on the shoulder," to depict rapid, aggressive descent. The verb יָבֹ֫זּוּ (yāḇōz̄û) translates as "they will plunder," describing the coordinated seizure of territory.
The thread — The judgment against Edom, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines recurs in Joel 3:19, Isaiah 25:10, and Jeremiah 49:28. The theme of God removing geographical obstacles to enable judgment and deliverance continues directly in Isaiah 11:15.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that unity among God’s people serves as the immediate precursor to the subjugation of their oppressors. It demands acceptance that divine judgment executes through coordinated human action under sovereign command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
Cross-references
- Joel 3:19 Egypt will become desolate, and Edom a desert wasteland, because of the violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.
- Isaiah 25:10 For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. But Moab will be trampled in his place as straw is trodden into the dung pile.
- Jeremiah 49:28 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east!
- Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall. But these will be delivered from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites.
- Amos 9:12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.
- Matthew 8:11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Isaiah 16:14 And now the LORD says, “In three years, as a hired worker counts the years, Moab’s splendor will become an object of contempt, with all her many people. And those who are left will be few and feeble.”
- Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
- Isaiah 34:5 When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.